Leadership Under Fire

10/14/2026

NEW EPISODE: “Unpacking Robert Coram’s “Brute: The Life of Victor Krulak” Part Two with Jim Roussell USMC/Chicago PD”

The LUF team believes that a careful examination of history’s most accomplished mission-oriented leaders reveals that their success was strongly correlated to scholarship and professional reading. LUF book clubs have been a conduit to meaningful discourse, reflection, and critical thought. Jim Roussell has guided several LUF book clubs. Jim’s infectious commitment to professional reading was at the foundation of his preparation for the duration of his remarkable career in the USMC and Chicago PD. He relied heavily on his self-study to complement his extensive operational experience and inform his leadership philosophy and complex problem-solving skillset.

Today’s episode is part two of Jim unpacking Robert Coram’s “Brute” which originally aired on March 6th 2025. Jim provides valuable insight into the philosophy, traits, and approach that enabled LtGen Victor Krulak to transform the USMC’s warfighting capability set.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

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09/28/2026

NEW EPISODE: “Reading the Terrain: Lessons from the Mountains and the Fireground with FF Matthew Murphy FDNY”

Matt Murphy is a 24-year veteran of the FDNY. He began his career with Ladder 34 in 2002 before joining Rescue 1 in 2009 and Rescue 3 in 2017. Outside the firehouse, Matt is an accomplished climber, chef, backcountry skier, and runner. His passion for the outdoors has played an important role in shaping his approach to training, preparedness, and problem solving skills that continue to inform his work both on and off the fireground.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

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09/21/2026

NEW EPISODE: “A Remembrance Anthology – The 25th Anniversary of 9/11”

Today, we remember the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001. In this episode, we’ll revisit powerful reflections from some of our remembrance episodes over the years, honoring those who served, those who sacrificed, and those we lost that morning. But first, we’ll hear from retired FDNY Firefighter Jim McNamara as he reflects on what September 11th means to those who were there and what it means to remember, 25 years later.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

Today, we remember the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001.  In this episode, we’ll revisit powerful reflections from some of our remembrance episodes over the years, honoring those who served, those who sacrificed, and those we lost that morning.  But first, we’ll hear fro...

08/24/2026

Registration for the LUF Fall 2026 Online Leadership Development Course for and by Emerging Leaders has opened. This course includes eight modules of dynamic instruction, discussion, and collaboration designed for leaders of all ranks and experience (inclusive of senior leaders) who are committed to preparing their young firefighters, units, and departments to gain and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging operational environment.
•••
The course group will meet via a web platform on Tuesday evenings (1930-2130 EST) during the semester (October through December). Of the many goals of this program, a primary one is to equip and encourage emerging leaders to embrace, create, and recognize opportunities to lead and exercise initiative in a fashion consistent with relative experience and culture.
•••
Course contributors include:
■ Keith Richards, FDNY & Mike O'Connell, FDNY
■ Rob Velazquez, FDNY & Daniel Stahl, FDNY
■ Tom Miller, FDNY & Callen Powers, UMASS
■ Charlie Laudenslager, FDNY & Ryan Lipkin, Con Fire
■ Shaun Ferguson, Cherry Hill NJ FD & Josh Krueger, Milwaukee FD
■ Sean McCauley, Philadelphia FD & Trevor Meador, Frederick Co. DFRS
■ Tori Gingrich, FDNY & Max Devane, FDNY
■ Jason Brezler, LUF Founder

https://web.cvent.com/event/eed2b45a-11a9-4694-9451-f4b2a13cf75d/summary

08/04/2026

The LUF Team is honored to announce the Captain Freddie Simms Scholarship which affords a deserved leader the opportunity to attend the LUF Leadership Development Course on the Farm October 18-23 in Western Maryland at no cost. The 6-day day 5-night course consists of dynamic instruction, discussion, and collaboration focused on elevating tactical leadership. The course curriculum is geared towards unit level leaders, specifically company officers and firefighters. The immersive course is held on the Farm where participants will learn, reflect, eat, and sleep in a communal setting.

Freddie Simms joined the ranks of the FDNY in July of 2001. He was a firefighter in Ladder Co. 58 in the Bronx and a Lieutenant in Ladder Co. 40 in Harlem. In 2020 Freddie was promoted to the rank of Captain and returned to the Bronx where he was selected to assume command of Ladder Co. 58 in 2022. Those who knew Freddie and had worked with him knew that he was perfectly suited to command his beloved alma mater. A short time after assuming command of the company Freddie learned that he had cancer. Freddie battled cancer with great courage. Even during his darkest periods of suffering, he was more concerned with the welfare of others. Freddie’s battle with 9/11 cancer ended in June of 2025, just weeks before his 50th birthday.

Those who had the great fortune of knowing Freddie and benefiting from his leadership and friendship are committed to ensuring that his legacy of service lives on. Accordingly, the LUF Team will provide a scholarship to a leader who demonstrates the traits and attributes that Freddie exemplified and sought to foster in others.

Capt Freddie Simms Scholarship candidates should display:
• A love for the job that is infectious.
• A love for their family that exceeds their love for the job.
• Tactical competency under pressure at fire and emergency operations of consequence.
• A commitment to service in their community, church, and/or civic organizations.
• The virtue of a quiet professional.
• A serious regard for the job but the ability to not take themselves too seriously.
• A spirit of generosity in sharing knowledge and preparing junior members to have a greater impact on their unit and department.

Capt Freddie Simms Scholarship candidates must be nominated by a member junior to them. Nominations are to be submitted in the form of an insightful essay of no more than 1,000 words. Essays can be submitted via email to [email protected] with a subject line of Capt Freddie Simms Scholarship Nomination no later than Friday August 21st.

07/30/2026

Registration for the LUF Fall 2026 Online Leadership Development Course for and by Emerging Leaders has opened. This course includes eight modules of dynamic instruction, discussion, and collaboration designed for leaders of all ranks and experience (inclusive of senior leaders) who are committed to preparing their young firefighters, units, and departments to gain and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly challenging operational environment.
•••
The course group will meet via a web platform on Tuesday evenings (1930-2130 EST) during the semester (October through December). Of the many goals of this program, a primary one is to equip and encourage emerging leaders to embrace, create, and recognize opportunities to lead and exercise initiative in a fashion consistent with relative experience and culture.
•••
Course contributors include:
■ Keith Richards, FDNY & Mike O'Connell, FDNY
■ Rob Velazquez, FDNY & Daniel Stahl, FDNY
■ Tom Miller, FDNY & Callen Powers, UMASS
■ Charlie Laudenslager, FDNY & Ryan Lipkin, Con Fire
■ Shaun Ferguson, Cherry Hill NJ FD & Josh Krueger, Milwaukee FD
■ Sean McCauley, Philadelphia FD & Trevor Meador, Frederick Co. DFRS
■ Tori Gingrich, FDNY & Max Devane, FDNY
■ Jason Brezler, LUF Founder
•••

07/22/2026

A few seats remain for the 2026 Leadership Development Course (LDC). The course consists of five days and evenings of dynamic instruction, discussion, and collaboration focused on tactical leadership. The course curriculum is geared towards unit level leaders, specifically company officers and firefighters. The immersive course is held on the Farm where participants will learn, reflect, eat, and sleep in a communal setting.
The course also includes a staff ride of the Gettysburg Battlefield and a Tactical Fitness and Recovery Workshop.
Course themes include:
■ The Moral Imperative of Leadership
■ Mission-Oriented Leadership
■ Command Philosophy Development & Implementation
■ Leading Your Peers
■ Mental Performance at Fires and Emergencies
Registration is limited to 25 leaders.

07/01/2026

Click on the link to read our 82nd Edition of the SMJ!

SENIOR MAN'S PERFORMANCE JOURNAL This digital human performance journal is for men and women who lead, operate and compete in high-risk environments and ultra-competitive industries that demand we are the best versions of ourselves – physically, mentally, emotionally and morally. The intent of thi...

06/30/2026

NEW EPISODE: “Going the Extra Mile(s): The Western States 100 with LT Shane McKeon, FDNY (Ret)”

Today, we are speaking with retired LT Shane McKeon as he is about to embark on his journey to complete the Western States 100.

Shane is a seasoned endurance athlete and dedicated student of leadership and performance. He joined the ranks of the FDNY in the aftermath of September 11th and spent many years serving as a firefighter in Engine Company 84 and Ladder Company 34 in Washington Heights before being promoted to lieutenant.

Throughout his career, Shane served as a lead fitness instructor at the FDNY Probationary Firefighter School, a program manager for the FDNY’s A Day in the Life of a Firefighter program in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and as a member of the FDNY’s First Line Supervisor Training Program.
Before joining the FDNY, Shane played Division I baseball and spent two seasons in professional baseball. Since becoming a member of the department, he has completed 25 marathons, numerous ultra-distance open-water swims, and two Ironman triathlons.

As we record this Shane will be competing in the Western States 100, the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100-mile endurance race.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

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Today, we are speaking with retired LT Shane McKeon as he is about to embark on his journey to complete the Western States 100. Shane is a seasoned endurance athlete and dedicated student of leadership and performance. He joined the ranks of the FDNY in the aftermath of September 11th and spent many...

06/16/2026

NEW EPISODE: “Building Tactical Proficiency with Capt Tim Young, SJCFR”

Our guest on this episode of the Leadership Under Fire: Humanizing the Narrative podcast is Capt Tim Young of the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department in Florida. Captain Young is a 22-year veteran of the department and currently serves at Station 14, having previously been assigned to Station 10. An avid reader and lifelong student of the profession, he resides in St. Johns County with his family.

Listen now on our website, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Samsung Podcast, or Podchaser. If you like our show, please leave a comment and rate us, subscribe and share it.

Click here to listen now:

Our guest on this episode of the Leadership Under Fire: Humanizing the Narrative podcast is Capt Tim Young of the St. Johns County Fire Rescue Department in Florida. Captain Young is a 22-year veteran of the department and currently serves at Station 14, having previously been assigned to Station 10...